US Open: ‘My heart dies every time I lose,’ says Naomi Osaka after second-round exit
For the former world No 1, the second round at Flushing Meadows, Wimbledon and Roland Garros was as good as it got this year
Naomi Osaka said her “heart dies” when she loses after her exit to Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova in the US Open second round.
The former world No 1 has four major titles under her belt but the second round at Flushing Meadows, Wimbledon and Roland Garros was as good as it got this year for the 26-year-old, who exited the Australian Open in the first round.
On Thursday she lost 6-3, 7-6 as she was unable to get to grips with Muchova’s superb serve-and-volley tennis.
“It’s a little rough because I do take these losses really personally,” she said. “It’s like a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose.
“I’ve been trying to be more mature and learn and talk more about them.”
Osaka said 2024 has been her “learning year” after coming back to the tour from a maternity break.